The following are updates to previously-reported items and other recent regulatory filings and actions concerning Upper Midwest broadcast stations. This report is created by the author and is not an official report of the FCC.
Iowa
The FCC approved Trinity Communications’ purchase of KDLS-FM/105.5 (Perry) from Latin Broadcasting Corporation. It also granted a construction permit for KDLS-FM to switch to a non-directional antenna, improving its signal to Ames.
Minnesota
The University of Northwestern-St. Paul reported that K270DZ/101.9 (New Ulm) went off the air March 3 due to antenna failure, while K227AN/93.3 (Lynd) went off the air March 30 due to suspected antenna damage from an ice storm. It requested special temporary authority for both stations to remain silent.
Carpenter Broadcasting’s WZBY/92.7 (Grand Portage) requested an extension of special temporary authority to remain silent until Sept. 12. The filing says Carpenter is working on rebuilding the facility with more reliable equipment.
Ontario
The CRTC approved changes to CBC’s two stations in Manitouwadge as part of a tower replacement project. CBC Radio One station CBEB-FM/89.7 and Ici Radio-Canada Première station CBON-23-FM/96.9 will use a shared directional antenna at 106.5 meters above average terrain, which is lower than the stations’ current respective antenna heights of 174m and 141m. CBEB-FM will switch from its current 4.78kW to 10kW maximum horizontal and 6.487kW vertical, remaining class B1. CBON-23-FM will switch from its current 143W to 3.134kW horizontal and 2.134kW vertical, remaining class A. The stations will still reach the same number of people after the change due to the lack of population in outlying areas.
Wisconsin
With a construction permit to build a new full-power station on 91.9 in Ashland, the University of Northwestern-St. Paul has applied to move W220EB/91.9 (Ashland) to 88.5, remaining 38 Watts.